Rosberg gets to pip Hamilton at post

Though a wafer-thin lead, the German showed his mettle

NICO Rosberg drew first blood yesterday in his duel with Mercedes teammate, world champion Lewis Hamilton, the 29year-old German narrowly topping the times in the opening free practice session for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Two-time champion Hamilton, who leads this year’s title race by 27 points after winning three of the opening four races of the season, was second, only 0.070 seconds off the pace, with four-time champion German Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari a further nine-tenths of a second adrift.

In Formula One terms, Rosberg’s advantage was waferthin and Hamilton sustained only the merest of scratches as he worked through his technical programme in preparation for tomorrow’s race.

On a warm, sunny day at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Rosberg showed he was intent on rekindling his faltering challenge to his British teammate.

But Ferrari, for whom Finn Kimi Raikkonen was fourthfastest, were unable to close the gap, despite a raft of upgrades to their car.

Spain’s new local hero Carlos Sainz, son of the former world rally champion, delighted his followers in the paltry crowd by placing fifth for Toro Rosso, ahead of his teenage teammate, Dutchman Max Verstappen.

Russian Daniil Kvyat was seventh for Red Bull, ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa of Williams, Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was delayed by problems again in the second Red Bull, and Brazilian Felipe Nasr of Sauber.

The two Toro Rosso men once again proved themselves by out-performing their counterparts at senior sibling team Red Bull on a day of little drama. — AFP